T Beac First Congregational Church of Millbury, United Church of Christ Our Mission: To welcome and inspire ALL through faith, love, and fellowship according to Christ s example. Volume 30 Issue 6 June 2018 Minutes of Council Meeting May 6, 2018 The Church Council meeting took place after refreshments were served following this week s Church Service. Present: Ron Stead, Joan & Hunter Greenwood, Don & Jean Orrell, Heather Beauregard, Jeri Stead, Janice Fortin, Philip & Patty Nyberg, Kay, Roland & Linda Lachance, Linda Pollisack, Amy Peterson, Dave Sauer, Leah Murphy, Jim Mousseau, Patty Flewelling Comptois, Guest Minister Reverend Vicki Hammel, Organist Joyce Carpenter- Henderson Joan Greenwood presented the following Treasurer s Report for April 2018: Income $7,548 Offering $5,107 Fundraisers $1.876 Other $ 565 Expenses $4,870 Salaries $2,190 Utilities / Heat $ 946 Misson/Deacons $ 200 Other $1,534 Net Income $2,678 Ron Stead stated that a pledge notice has been received from the UCC. Ron explained that $742,000 is budgeted from various districts with $260,000 going to the national UCC. The Mass UCC includes the Central Association. A pledge was not made for the previous year. Currently, our church has 106 members listed. Joan Greenwood moved that $100 be sent. Joan stated that 30 families pledge & contribute to the church. Janice Fortin stated that progress has been made this year with using the UCC resources more now than in the past 6 months as we search for a new minister. Jim Mousseau amended Joan s motion to $500, which was seconded and passed. Janice Fortin stated that we have received 5 applications for the position of a part-time minister, 2 males and 3 females. It was felt that 4 of these candidates would be suitable for our church. Jim Mousseau gave a brief update on Buildings & Grounds. The water is turned on at the street for the parsonage. The system needs to be pressurized with someone to check the boiler. It is hoped that rest of the piping is ok. A question was asked on what the anticipated sales price may be. There was discussion about possibly selling the parsonage as is. It is estimated the market value may be about $275,000. Joan Greenwood thanked Terry Bickford & Paul Fortin for cleaning up winter debris from the church yard. Ron Stead said the Church Council would need to meet first to discuss the sale and then bring it to the church to vote on. (Continued on page 2)
P 2 T Beac J 2018 Janice Fortin asked about the air conditioner in the church office on the floor & when it should be installed. Joyce Carpenter-Henderson talked about music for Mother s Day & Memorial Day church services. Hannah Majour will play the trumpet for the Memorial Day church service when Millbury s veterans will be at our church. Her fee will be $150. The deacons have developed a fee schedule for various personnel / church rental for services rendered. Fees are determined based on church membership at a lower rate vs. a non-member rate. Joan Greenwood moved to accept the new rates, which was seconded. Fees for Church Rental Wedding Services Church Member Non-Member Sanctuary Waived $400 Pastor Waived $700 (includes pre-marital sessions) Organist $200 $200 Winter - if there is a snow storm just before the wedding, the plowing and shoveling will have to be arranged for and paid by those getting married. Fellowship Hall Rental 4 hours or less Donations Recommended $100 Over 4 hours Donations Recommended $150 Kitchen Facilities (if required) $ 50 Courtesy requires that you return the facilities to the same or better condition that you found them upon your arrival. Winter - if there is a snowstorm just before the scheduled event, the snow removal will have to be arranged for and paid by the renter. Funeral Service Sanctuary No Charge Fellowship Hall No Charge Don Orrell asked if possible candidates for our new minister would come & speak at our church before a vote is taken by the membership. The deacons will plan on wide publicity. Pastor Vicki stated that the deacons would need to decide how to do this. Normally, the deacons decide on a new minister after visiting the candidates being considered to see them preach. Ron Stead asked that the deacons come to the next Church Council meeting to tell everyone their plans. The next Church Council meeting will be held on June 10. The meeting adjourned at 12:05 pm. Respectfully submitted. Linda Lachance Our Search Church Meeting On Sunday May 20th we held a Church Council Meeting and voted unanimously to schedule a Church Meeting for June 24th. The purpose of this meeting is to make a decision as regards the future of the parsonage. We, the Deacons, are moving along very nicely in our search for an Interim Pastor. As of right now we have narrowed our choices down to two people. They are both very appropriate candidates as they have the same beliefs as we do and teach the lessons we want to hear. We know that God will guide us in making the right choice.
P 3 T Beac J 2018 Thank you 7th Marilyn Crandell 15th Melissa Fortin 16th Alexis Murray 18th Berkeley Gobron 20th William West 21st Ryan Demers 25th Amy West 27th Deborah Mejaour 30th Mohmmed Mejaour 30th John Pearson The families of those killed in the Santa Fe school shooting. Waffle House shooting where a courageous young black man disarmed the shooter and saved lives. The Thurlow family who's house was struck by lightening. North and South Korea will be reunited. People of Hawaii People of Puerto Rico Those who lost mothers this year. The Deacons in search of Pastor. All first responders All Veterans and active Military people. All who stand in harms way. Our Church Our Community Our Nation Those who are abused, lonely and heartsick. Those struggling with addiction. Those who are hungry and homeless. Georgia graduating from high school Julia and Riley getting their drivers licenses. Tom and Mary celebrated 44th wedding anniversary. You are cordially invited to attend Children and Youth Piano Recital and Potluck Buffet Sunday, June 24, 2018 ~ 4 p.m. at First Congregational Church, UCC 148 West Main Street Millbury, Massachusetts Featuring Piano Students of Joyce Carpenter-Henderson Organist/Music Director/Piano Teacher Once again many thanks to Terry for taking care of the church grounds. We are always in tip top shape. Thank you to Deanna for weeding all the gardens and planting the side door garden. And thanks to Jeri for planting geraniums in the front of the church. We are looking very spring like. It is so nice to see an array of color as we enter the church. Thank you also to Jeri and Jim for decorating and preparing the church for our Memorial Day festivities. Thank you Linda Lachance for making numerous trips o Savers with our left over Flea Market treasures. Linda was rewarded with Savers Discount Coupons, which we voted to give to some Senior Citizen friends who enjoys shopping at Savers.
P 4 T Beac J 2018 Mission Corner Just a reminder that we have started knitting/ crocheting/looming again. We meet every other Tuesday at Cindy Bradway's house. We have experienced people who can teach anyone interested how to knit, crochet or use a loom. We have supplies to help you get started- no need to bring anything but yourself! If interested may contact Deanna at 508-865- 6069 or murrayapplegang@aol.com. Deanna Murray WILDLIFE CONTROL Wayne Witkowski Skunks, Squirrels, Raccoons, Bats, Mice, Rats, Snakes, Birds, etc. All Insects www.wildlifecontrolma.com (508) 892-1967 PAINT NIGHT IN PLANNING STAGES We are looking forward to another Paint Night at Millbury First Church. We might not to be able to squeeze it in during the Summer due to vacations. Please keep an eye on the Beacon and local papers for more information. Sue Dion will be sending us images to choose from soon. Have a safe and happy Summer. Just to Recap Pastor Vicki prepared a lovely Mother's Day celebration for us with praise for all mothers everywhere. As always Joyce arranged beautiful hymns for the congregation and anthems for the choir to sing. It was very nice to have Lydia return to join Leah and Dave in the choir on this special occasion. We enjoyed bright flowers on the altar and it was wonderful to see some faces from the past in the congregation. Pentecost is always a special Sunday. It is the day we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his ascension. It is held on the 7th Sunday after Easter. Red is worn to remind us of the fire of the Spirit. Pastor Vicki blessed us with a great sermon. This year our Memorial Day Service was very special as the Veterans from town congregated at our church. They all marched in together in their uniforms. It was a very impressive gathering. Pastor Vicki prepared solemn readings and many of our church members participated. Jeri, our historian, displayed the WWI Service Flag that had been found in our steeple and told the congregation the meaning of each star on the flag. Along with our amazing choir and choir director we had the pleasure of listening to Hannah on her trumpet.
First Congregational Church of Millbury, UCC 148 West Main Street Millbury, MA 01527 Address Correction Requested T Beac June 2018 Worship and Church School: 10:00 a.m. Church Phone: 508-865-9737 Email: Millbury1stChurch@gmail.com Web: http://millburyfirstchurch.com Resolve to make a difference in someone s life! To add an event, please email Millbury1stchurch @gmail.com Remember to check us out on Facebook. See all the photos. It s a great way to introduce your friends to our Friendly Church on the Hill. The Beacon Deadline for July/August newsletter is June 17th. The BEACON is distributed by email or first class mail. It can also be downloaded from the church website. Copies are available at the back of the sanctuary.